1. BROWSE through the Picasa or FLICKR on-line albums and select the image(s) required by choosing the option that suits you - either:

(a) by noting the photo sequence number as it appears in the online gallery eg. "Photo 3 of 37"

(b) by cutting and pasting the link to the image in your email to us.

(c) or by noting the actual image file number (eg DSC_0148.jpg) of any photographs you want to order and make a note of them - carefully! NB: in PICASA galleries the file number can be found by clicking on an individual image in your selected album and opening up the "more info" link on the Photo Information column to the right of the image.

3. Within 24 hrs and usually sooner, you will receive a PayPal secure payment request to your preferred email address.

4. Just follow the instructions on receipt of the payment request and you can make a secure payment using your PayPal account or credit / debit card as preferred. (You do not need to be a PayPal account holder)

5. On acknowledgment that Payment has been received, you will receive your photos by email - high resolution and minus the watermarks - easy!

Summer persisted – strong, warm and bright – relegating Autumn’s advance to a faint rustle, barely heard above the surf. The competitors gathered on the green. Already suited up, wrapped tight in neoprene they ambled to the shoreline, determinedly casual in contrast to all the flailing, splashing, swim that was to be ahead of them.

Turn out was up on last year’s event and some new faces claimed places on the podium. The daughter of the man who conceived, cajoled then organised this legendary race so many years ago was first lady home. Whoever wrote that script – well the Gods of Mount Triathlon were making sure it was followed to the letter.

It was with some relief – given the mountainous seas and gales force winds of some previous years – that the organisers and competitors gathered for the briefing in conditions that promised a race that everyone had a chance of completing. That’s not to detract from the challenging swim and cycle stages – or that energy sapping slog across the beach to the finish line. As you can see from the look on this chap’s face as he waded out, there’s still plenty to get anxious about on this superb surf challenge triathlon – though if he’d seen the conditions that the region’s youngest surf lifesavers had faced the day before in the Junior Aquathon he would have been counting his blessings.

Slideshows and links to images from all the action can be found by clicking here.

Wet, windy, cold – and still they came! Like the rest of this year’s “summer”, the weather didn’t play ball – rather, it picked it up and blew it away & the usual early Autumn sunshine that’s been the regular accompaniment to recent Nearwater triathlons was nowhere to be seen. Unfortunately, the sheeting rain played havoc with my lenses and this year’s crop of shots cover only the start and swim section. Well done to all the competitors who completed the race.